‘Pakistan to continue building its military potential’

Islamabad, March 30 (IANS) Pakistan would continue to develop its military potential as weakness invites aggression from stronger nations, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Friday.

Addressing a gathering comprising the Services chiefs, defence personnel and analysts at the launch of the military hardware exhibition — IDEAS-2012, Gilani said Pakistan’s military capability was basically for deterrence purpose, Geo News reported.

Pakistan has developed indigenous capabilities for production of sophisticated weapon systems and equipment, said Gilani.

He, however, said Pakistan did not wish to be dragged into an arms race.

Pakistan does not harbour any aggressive designs against any state, “but we are determined to defend our territorial integrity and safeguard our sovereignty”, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted Gilani as saying.

He said it was the reason that Pakistan needs to maintain a balance in conventional forces suitably backed by a credible minimum deterrence.

Gilani said Pakistan’s defence industry, after meeting its domestic requirements, has now moved towards marketing products at the international level.

He said Pakistan, due to its vital geo-strategic location and shift in the regional and global security environment, finds itself at the forefront of the collective struggle against terrorism which he described as the new form of threat to world peace.

“We, in Pakistan, are the worst affected victims of this formidable threat, which, as I have often said, is nameless, face-less, religion-less and region-less.”

“I assure you that we shall neither be found lacking in resolve nor in commitment. At the same time, we also expect our partners to show trust and understanding in this vital struggle,” said Gilani.